Arjun Tendulkar, the son of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, warmed up for the upcoming first-class season in style. He delivered a match-winning performance, taking nine wickets in Goa’s innings and 189-run victory over host Karnataka in the Dr (Capt) K Thimmappiah Memorial Tournament, also known as the KSCA Invitational. This pre-season meet serves as a valuable platform for state teams to prepare for the upcoming season.
The KSCA XI, composed primarily of U-19 and U-23 players, faced a formidable challenge in Arjun. The only experienced players in the lineup were Nikin Jose and wicketkeeper Sharath Srinivas.
Arjun had a remarkable match haul of nine wickets for 87 runs in 26.3 overs across the two innings. In the first innings, Karnataka was bowled out for a meager 103 in 36.5 overs. Arjun, the junior Tendulkar, was the star performer with 5 wickets for 41 runs in 13 overs.
In response, Goa built a strong foundation, reaching a score of 413 runs. Abhinav Tejrana played a crucial role with a century (109 runs) and Manthan Khutkar contributed a significant 69 runs.
Karnataka, aiming to make a comeback, put up a slightly better fight in the second innings, but were ultimately bowled out for 121 runs in 30.4 overs. Arjun continued his dominant performance, taking 4 wickets for 46 runs in 13.3 overs.
As Arjun approaches his 25th birthday next week, he has amassed an impressive record in his burgeoning career. He has participated in 49 competitive matches across all three formats at the senior level, claiming 68 wickets. In first-class cricket, he has secured 21 wickets in 13 matches. His recent performance showcases his growing skills and his readiness for the upcoming first-class season.
